Dry pipe sprinkler system



June 26, 1951 w, GlESELER 2,558,176

DRY PIPE SPRiNKLER SYSTEM Filed Feb. 5, 1947 Q 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. fuss!!! i. flmseler Maw June 26, 1951 R. w. GIESELER 2,558,176

DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Feb. 3, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illllllll 97 46 41 Fussy/l Z? flaw/e1 F] TTORNE) June 26, 1951 R. w. GIESELER DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Feb. 3, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 0. 1 g 00 m 00 0 A m n 4 9 n7 0 1 6 0 7 u Z 1 M H W j N V M P 1 z (1 T I H H j W 2 w w w 6 w w 9 F l i '0 8 A W l. \i mww 0 2!! L5 7 Y L VMW MW I i 2 hl\| vlh \H M\ HM .I llii 7 ii. 5 1! I 5U i I I il ls n 2 w 5 6 A Z 5 J E 8 INIfENTOR. F1155!!! [71(56/(1 HTTORNEY June 26, 1951 R. w. GIESELER DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Shet 4 Filed Feb. 3, 1947 r R k my .I. 4 m u 1 fl m w l I a v 2 m M z 0 m M M 0 0 2 1 m t 5 1 m Patented June 26, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Russell W. Gieseler, J amestown, N. Y. Application February 3, 1947, Serial No. 726,032

12 Claims.

This invention relates to dry pipe sprinkling systems, and more particularly to an improved dry pipe sprinkler system embodying improved features which measurably reduce the cost of installation,'insures positive and reliable operation of the system, and can be conveniently maintained in good working order.

Fire protection automatic sprinkler systems generally in use are classified as either wet pipe systems or dry pipe systems. In dry pipe systems, no water is carried in the distributor pipes until one or more sprinkler heads are opened, the flow of water being sealed off at the dry pipe valve Whose closure clapper is maintained in closed position by the air pressure in the distributor system. When a sprinkler head in the system opens, air in the system will escape therefrom, resulting in a reduction in air pressure within the chamber of the dry pipe valve until a point is reached where the air pressure in the dry pipe valve chamber is not sufiicient to maintain the main closure clapper in closed position. Upon the opening of the main closure clapper in the chamber of the dry pipe valve, water will flow through the main water inlet port of the dry pipe valve, into the chamber thereof, thence through the distributor pipes, and through the opened sprinkler head.

To reduce pressure strain on the system, and to insure prompt fiow of water through the system when a sprinkler head is open, it is desirable 1 to maintain the air pressure in the system as low as possible. It has therefore been the practice to maintain the air pressure in the distributor system approximately /2 of the water pressure in the main inlet port of the dry pipe valve. Dry

pipe valves as presently constructed usually pro- 1 vide a clapper closure for sealing oil the flow of water through the inlet port of the dry pipe valve, which clapper closure has an area on the air side thereof which is approximately 6 times the area of the water inlet port, so that the lower air pressure within the chamber actin against the enlarged closure area of the clapper closure will maintain the clapper closure firmly seated against the valve seat of the water inlet port, against the possibility of a sudden increase in pressure due to water surge against the water side of the clapper closure. The closure clapper also covers and seals on an intermediate air chamber which in present devices is contained within the chamber of the dry pipe valve and 1 surrounds the water inlet valve thereof, the in termediate air chamber bein in communication with the atmosphere through an alarm conduit normally containing air at atmospheric pressure and communicating with an alarm device,

The enlarged clapper closure commonly used, which serves as a closure for both the water inlet port and the intermediate air chamber of the dry pipe valve, is complicated in construction and expensive to manufacture and install, and due to its unwieldy size it is difiicult to adjust the seating rings thereof to maintain a watertight seat between the water ring seating against the valve seat of the water inlet port, and the airring seating against the valve seat of the intermediate air chamber. Water leaks into the intermediate chamber of the dry pipe valve, and air pressure leaks and priming water leaks from the chamber of the dry pipe valve into the intermediate air chamber, is a common occurrence. I

Due to the large volume of pressure air in the distributor pipe, the open of ly o e or a limited number of sprinkler heads in case of fire, would only gradually reduce the air pressure in the chamber of the dry pipe valve. In case of a fast burnin fire, critical moments of time might bev lost before the escaping air from the open sprinkler heads would result in a sufficient reduction of air pressure in the chamber of the dry pipe valve .to cause the main clapper closure therein to swing into open position and permit inflow'of water from the main inlet port thereof into the distributor pipes. It is therefore customary. to providea quick opening device which has a pipe connection to the dry pipe valve, the quick opening device being intended to rapidly reduce the differential in air pressure between the dry pipe valve chamber and the intermediate air chamber, normally under atmospheric pressure, in a manner to cause the main clapper closure to speedily fly open to permit a flow of water into the distribution system whena sprinkler head is opened. a

Quick opening devices as commonly used are of two types, one type being generally known as an exhauster and the other type as an accelerator. In the exhauster type, the air pressure in the system is brought down to the tripping point by providing a discharge of air from the system through a large opening, thus exhausting the air from the system, and increasing the speed with which the pressure is reduced. The accelerator type operates to equalize the air pressure between 'that in the main chamber of the valve and. that in the intermediate chamber, by admitting air under pressure contained within the main chamber of the dry pipe valve into the intermediate air chamber of'the drypipe valve, thus neutralizing the force directed against the air closure element ';by pressure in the system;

Both the exhauster type and the accelerator type of quick opening devices as presently used, are complicated mechanisms built and constructed as separate units apart from the dry pipe valve, and connected thereto by piping The quick opening devices presently available are inaccessible for repairs at the site, and require frequent attention and repair. The valve closures of these devices are provided with rubber closure seats which rapidly deteriorate with age and-often become damaged when moved from closed to open position so that they are no longer reliable in operation. The valve closures are inaccessible for repair at the site of the installation, requirin the removal of the entire quick opening device from the system and the return of the device to the manufacturer for overhauling and repair. A standby or replacement device must then be connected into the system to insure an adequately operating sprinkler system installation.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved dry pipe automatic sprinkler system which is economical to install, .may be conveniently adjusted and .kept in repair, and which is positive and reliable in operation.

Another object of this inventionis to provide animproved dry pipe valve assembly having incorporated into one compact unit the water flow control valve, and the quick opening device cor-, related with the intermediate air chamber in conduit communication with the alarm devices.

A further object of this invention is to provide .an improved quick opening mec'hanismin operative association with thevdry pipe valve of a dry pipe sprinkler system.

.A stillfurther objeotof thisinventionis to provide an improved dry pipe valve unit having an (improved closure arrangement .for the main water port and the intermediate air chamber thereof which is simple in design and construction and may be easily adjusted and 'kept in repair and which is delicately responsive to air pressure drop in the system.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

In accordance with this'invention, a fully automatic dry pipe fire-protection sprinkler system is provided wherein water enters the system from a main conduit which is connected to .a. main valve housing provided with a removable plate which ,provides easy access to the valves and other devices therein contained. The main chamber .of the valve housing when the system is in onerati-ng condition, is partially filled with primin "water, and contains a main intake check valv which operates to close off the tfiow-o'f water from the main when the valve is in closed position, the valve seat bein provided with an annular depression connected to the intermediate chamber of the dry pipe valve, :so that seepages into the system due to leakage :may be voided, and water columning thereby avoided. The intermediate chamber is connected to an alarm condnit, "which .in turn :is provided with a ball drip valve :having a small diameter drain attached thereto. Water seepages :from the .main check valve are 'drained'from the system through the ball drip valve. The clapper arm of the main cheek valve ends in :an extension :to which is attached a secondary valve closure :element which operates to 'closean opening into the intermediate crhanrbernf the valve. Thus the area of the air iseat over the -interme'diate chamber need not be five to six times the area hi the Water seat .over the main conduit, as is customary in systems heretofore in use, since the air seat is placed at a greater distance from the valve fulcrum than the water seat. Thus, if the center of the air seat is placed five to six times as far from the fulcrum as the center of the water seat, an air seat of the same size as the water seat b. used. The air seat is also completely independent of the water seat insofar as removal for repair is concerned, so that the seat maybe easily and quickly removed, if necessary, by removing a hinge pin or bolt, and may be equally easily and quickly replaced. Another advantage of this type of installation is that the size of the intermediate chamber may be greatly reduced, thus insuring .faster operation of a quick opening device of the accelerator type.

"The main chamber of the valve housing also contains a quick opening valve clapper, having attached thereto a closure element which operates to-close another opening into the intermediate chamber. This valve clapper is pivoted on a fulcrum block, and remains in closed position until released 'by a plunger which trips a trigger device, allowing the closure element to be opened by means of a spring attachment, or, in an alternative exemplification, the plunger presses down upon an arm of the clapper extending to the other side of the .fulcrum block, thus forcing open the closure element. Upon opening of this valve closure element, the priming water in the valve housing will flow into the intermediate chamber much .faster than it canesoape through the alarm conduit, thusdue to its relative incompressibility, rapidly destroying the differential in pressure between that in the main chamber and that in the intermediate chamber, so that the pressure in the .main water intake will force open'themain'cheok valve, allowing water to enter the systemand flow to the sprinkler heads. An advantage of this arrangement is that'the closure element is easily accessible for cleaning or removal through the cover platoon the valve housing.

An ai-rzchamber is provided external to the valve housing, which is divided by a diaphragm into an upper and'a lower chamber, the upper chamber being connected to the lower chamber by means of a conduit containing a restricted orifice, the lower chamber being connected to the main chamber of the valve housing by means of a conduit of large diameter. A plate to which the triggertripping or closure-opening plunger is attached is held firmly against the lower surface of the diaphragm by means of a coil spring, the plunger passing into the main valve chamber through a bearing, contained within the conduit by means of which "the lower chamber is connected to the main chamber of the valve housing, its lower end vmaking contact with the trigger device or arm 01" the quick oepning valve. A perforated plate is held firmly against the upper surface of the diaphragm by means of a rod, in order to prevent deformation of the diaphragm by the pressure against it of the lower plate, the perforations being provided so that air pressure in the upper chamber may act against the diaphragm.

When the system is placed in operation, the air pressures in the upper and lower chambers will be equalized in a very short time, since an air connection between the upper and lower chambers is provided. When one or more sprinkler heads open, the air pressure in the system will drop, as will the air pressure in the lower air chamber. .A sudden decrease in air pressure in the upper air chamber is prevented by the restrict orifice. The higher pressure remaining in the upper chamber expands the diaphragm, which carries before it the plunger, thereby opening the quick opening valve closure, and thereby allowing the priming water to flow into the intermediate chamber of the main valve housing, thus destroying the pressure differential between that in the main chamber and that in the intermediate chamber, allowing the main check valve to open.

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved dry pipe sprinkler system, the building in which it is installed being diagrammatically illustrated.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the main valve assembly showing the water seat closure element and the air seat closure element in closed position, the open position thereof being illustrated by dotted lines, this section being taken on line 22 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section of the main valve assembly, this section being taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section of the main valve assembly, this section being taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of a detail of the main valve assembly, this section being taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section of the air chamber associated with the improved quickopening device, this section being taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a vertical cross-section of the main valve assembly in an alternative exemplification,

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-section of the main valve assembly, this section being taken along line 88 of Fig. '7, and

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section of a detail of the main valve assembly taken along the line 55 of Fig. 3, showing an alternative exemplification of the quick opening valve.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

There is illustrated in Fig. 1 this improved dry pipe sprinkler system as it may be installed in a typical four story building, having an outside wall Ill, a roof II, and a series of floors l2. The improved sprinkler system as shown in Fig. 1 generally comprises an intake conduit l3 leading from a water main l4, and which makes con nection with the valve housing I 5. The conduit 13 is fitted with a gate valve l6 by means of which water may be prevented from flowing into the system when it is shut down for repairs.

From the valve housing 15 a conduit 20 leads to an alarm mechanism which may be either a water motor or a hydrostatic switch, or both. For purposes of illustration, there is shown in Fig. 1 a combination of a water motor 2! attached to an outside gong 22, and a hydrostatic switch 23 which actuates an electrical alarm 24 when tripped by water pressure in the conduit 20. The alarm conduit 20 may be provided with a ball drip valve l9 connected with a drain l8, through which water seepage into the intermediate chamber 36 of the valve may be voided. From the valve housing [5 an outlet conduit 25 connects with distribution pipes 26, to which are attached sprinkler heads 21 at the various floors.

A drain '28 leads from the valve housing l5, and is fitted with a gate valve 29, so that it may be closed oif and pressure maintained in the system when it is in operating condition. An air compressor 30 is also provided, which may pump air into the valve housing l5 through a conduit 3| until the desired air pressure in the system has been built up, the conduit 3| being provided with an air supply valve 32, whereby air flow into the valve housing l5 may be controlled.

The valve assembly consists of a valve housing l5 which is divided into a main chamber 35 and an intermediate chamber 36. The valve housing 15 is provided with 'a flange 31 connected to the main intake conduit 13, and a flange 38 connected to the outlet conduit 25. The valve housing I5 is fitted with a removable plate 39 secured by a plurality of bolts 40, thus affording easy access to the main chamber 35 for repairs and adjustments. The main chamber 35 is provided with a main intake port 4|, a main outlet port 42, a drain port 43, an air intake port 44, and an outlet port 45 leading to the intermediate chamber 36. For inspection purposes, two other ports 46 and 46' are provided, located respectively at the intake port and at the outlet port, which connect with conduits 41 and 41' leading to pressure gauges 48 and 48 respectively. The intermediate chamber 36 is provided with a port 54 through which water may pass to the alarm conduit 20, which at its other end, is open to the atmosphere, thus insuring atmospheric pressure in the intermediate chamber under normal operating conditions.

The valve housing I5 is also provided with a port 49 through which priming water may be admitted to the main chamber 35 of the valve housing, which port 49 connects with a water conduit 50 leading to a priming chamber 5|. The priming chamber 5| is provided with upper and lower priming chamber valves 52 and 52' respectively, and the conduit 56 is provided with a priming level test connection 53.

At the point where the main intake port 4| enters the main chamber 35 of the valve housing there is provided a valve seat 56 which is preferably of bronze or similar tough but easily machined metal. At the port 45 there is provided a similar valve seat 51. The valve seat 56 is provided with an annular groove 58 which is connected to a bleeder conduit 66 which leads to the intermediate chamber 36, so that leakage or seepage of water from the intake conduit [3 will be voided though the intermediate chamber 36. Thus water cannot enter the main chamber 35 of the valve housing l5 and cause water columning in the system.

The main valve housing I5 is provided with two hinge bolts 62 which pass through the walls of the main chamber 35 and upon which the main check valve 6| may swing; the main check valve clapper arm 63 being connected thereto by arms 64. The main check valve clapper arm 63 has pivotally attached thereto a water seat closure element 65, which is designed to fit snugly which isattachedianv air seat. closurejelement 69 designed to fitsnugly againstthe valve. seat 51 when. the main. check valve is. closed. The air seat closure. element 69: is'pivotallyconnected to the clapper arm extension 68 whereby the closure element, will adjust itself into a snug-seating position with respect to the valve seat 51-. This is effectedby providing'the, closure element B9;with;a, pair of spaced upstanding'lugs I and a hinge pin II' which. extends through aligned apertures: in the lugs. I0 and the arm extension 88-. The; closure element 69. is provided with a rubber ring or discI2, whichis' attached thereto by. means of a plurality of'screws or bolts 1'3 in order to make a water-tight and. air-tight; seal in cooperationwith the valve: seat 51-.

The arm extension 58 endsin a fingerelement I4. When the clapper; arm is raised this finger element, 14" will move out of position a pawl: 75 which is pivoted between two fulcrum blocks "I6 provided on the wall of the main chamber 35 of the valve housing I; The pawl I5; is secured tothe fulcrum blocks-by-means of a hinge pin 77; The pawl I5iisso shaped that the nose I8 thereof is freeto moveinanupward direction but a knee 1.9- is provided which abuts against the walLof the valve housing I 5- so that downward motion is inhibited. Thus when the clapperarm 53,0pens itcannot reseat; itself, due to the fact that the finger element I4- thereof will make contact. with the nose 180i; the pawl I during its downward motion and willbe held thereby in open position, thus preventingwater columningincaset-heclapper 6.3; is raisedby water'haminer inthe main intake conduit I3.

The area of the water seat closure element. 65 is determined to. a verylarge degree by the diam,- eterofthe main intake conduit I3; The area-L of thea-irseat closure element 59. however, is; de-

terminedby the distance of its center from the hinge bolts GZ-ascompared to the distanceof'the center ofthe, water seat closure element from the hinge bolts 62; In dry; pipe systems it is customary to provide an air seat which is con:- centricwiththe-water-seat,- the air seat being from five tosix-times the area of the water-seat, thelarger area beingrnecessary in orderthat unnecessarily high air pressures-in the system may beavoided, highair pressures tending to lengthen the time interval between the tripping-ofthemain check. valve and thearrival-of watenat the sprinkler heads. Such a construction results in large and unwieldy closure elements which are dimculttoremove for'cleaning or repair. By providing agreaterleverageactionon the air seat. than on the water seat, the same effect may be attained by. the use -of a smaller air. seat. Thus if the distance from the hinge point to thecenter of the air seat is, six times thedistance. from the hinge point to the center of the water seat, the seats being of equal areas, the effect would be the same as if the water seat had been surrounded by a concentric air seat of six times its area, and an air pressure in the system of one sixth of the water pressure in the main will suflice to keep the main check. valve in closed position.

The main chamber 35 of the valve housing I5 is also provided with a secondary port 82 leading to the intermediate chamber 35. This secondary port 82 is provided with a valve seat 83; A clapper arm 84-1's pivoted on paired fulcrum blocks 85 by means of a hinge pin 86, which may be placed approximately midway of its length, as illustrated, although it may be placed-at any convenient position. The clapper arm 84 is provided at one end with aclosure element 81 which may be af- 8 fixed thereto byappropriate means andwhich is designed: to fit securely over the valve seat 83 when the valve is in closed position. The other end of the clapper arm is so positioned above the floor of the main chamber 35'that by a down- Ward movement thereof the closure element 81 may be raised out of'contact with the valve seat 83, thus allowing a flow of air or water from the main chamber 35 to the intermediate chamber 36.

The quick opening diaphragm housing 88 is constructed from two sections of cast iron or steel thereby forming an upper housing 89-and a lower housing 95. A diaphragm 9| is placed between the upper housing 89 and the lower housing 98 and the housings are then connected by means of a plurality of bolts 92; thereby dividing the diaphragm housing 88 into upper and lower air chambers 83 and 94 respectively. The upper housing 89 is provided with a drain port 35 through which water may be voided from the upper chamber 89 and-a gauge port 9! through which air may pass under pressure through a conduit 98 to a pressure gauge 99. The upper housing 89 is also provided with a port I00 containing arestricted orifice I8I which may be constructed of a circular piece of Monel orothercorrosion-resistant material having a pin-hole therein. This port I00 makes connectionwitha conduit I82 leading to a port I83 in the lower housing 90.

A rod I05 is secured to the interior of the upper portion-of the upper housing 89 by suitable means such as screw threads I06. A plate I0! is secured to the lower end of the rod I 05 in such a position that, it will makecontact with the diaphragm 9| but exert no pressure thereon. The plate I8! is provided. with a plurality of perforations I08 so that air pressure in the upper chamber 93 of the quick opening diaphragm housing 88 may act upon the diaphragm 9|.

The lower housing is connected to the main chamber 35.0f thevalvehousing by means of a conduit I In which passes through a. port III in the valve housing I5. A rod H4. passes through abearing I I3-in the floor of the lower housing 90. andthence through the conduit I I] into the main chamber 35 of the valve housing I5, its lower end making contaotwith the free end of the clapper arm 84. A plurality of. ports IIZ lead from the lower air chamber 94 to the interior of. the conduitv HG. assuring. an. unrestricted passage of air between the main chamber 3:5, and the lower air chamber, 94'. The rod I14v is providedatits upper extremity with a plate H5 and. is secured thereto by suitable means such as screw threads H6. A coil spring II] which is, compressed. between the plate I"I5 and the floor of the lower housing 93 servesto hold the. plate II 5 infirm contact Withthe diaphragm 951'.

An alternative. exemplification of the new and improved quick opening valvev is shown in Fig; 9 In this exemplification the port 82. leading from the main chamber 35 of the valyehousing I5 to the intermediate chamber 38. thereof is closed by a closure. element I25 which is attached by suitable means to a clapper, arm. I25

which is pivotally hung in fulcrum blocks I21 by means ofa hinge pin I28. The clapper, arm I26 has an arm extension I29 attached thereto. A coilspring I30 is compressed between the arm I29 and the floor-of the main chamber 35 when the valve is in closed position; the clapper being held in-closed position by means of a trigger device I3I. The trigger device I3I is pivotally secured to the floor of the mainchamber 35 by means of fulcrum blocks I32 and a hinge pin from the arm extension I29.

I33. The trigger device I3I is provided with a neck I34 which fits over the end of the arm, extension I29 of the clapper arm I26 thus holding it firmly in closed position. The trigger device I3I is also provided with an arm I35. The arm I35 cooperates with the lower end of the rod II4, so that downward motion of the rod II4 will cause the trigger device I3I to rock upon the hinge pin I33, thus disengaging the neck I34 When the neck I34 is disengaged by downward motion of the rod H4 and arm I35, the spring I30 acting upon the arm extension I29 will force the closure element I25 to unseat itself, thereby causing a flow of priming water into the intermediate chamber 36. j

When the system is placed in operation, the main chamber 35 of the valve housing I5 is filledwith priming water to a depth sufficient to cover all the valves to a depth of 2 to 3 inches, and the air pressure in the system is brought up to the desired level by means of the air pump 39. This pressure should be considerably more than is necessary to maintain the main check valve closed under normal pressure conditions in the main water intake conduit I3, since water hammer may momentarily raise the pressure in the intake conduit I3 to a considerable extent. For instance, where water pressurein the main is sixty pounds per square inch and the ratio of area of air seat to water seat is six to one, it is customary to maintain thirty-five pounds of air pressure in the system as compared to the minimum of ten pounds actually needed. Air will enter the lower air chamber 94 of the quick opening diaphragm housing 88 through the conduit I I 6 and the ports H2 and will enter the upper chamber 94 of the quick opening diaphragm housing 88 through the conduit I02 and the restricted orifice IDI. It will be appreciated that the air pressure in the upper chamber 93 will not build up as rapidly as the air pressure in the lower chamber 94 due to the fact that it must enter the upper chamber 93 through the restricted orifice IElI. However in a very short time the air pressure in the upper chamber 93 and the lower chamber 94 will be equal. The air pressure in the main chamber 35 of the valve housing I5 acting against the valve closure elements 69 and 81 will keep firmly closed the ports 45 and 82 to the intermediate chamber 36 which, being open to the outside atmosphere through the conduit 26, remains at atmospheric pressure. Thus the water tight integrity and air tight integrity of the system is assured.

Gate valve I6 is now opened so that in case of fire a flow of water from the main I4 through the main intake conduit I3 is provided.

In the event of the opening of a sprinkler head 21 in the system, due to fire or mechanical defects, the air pressure in the system would drop rapidly due to the escape of air through the sprinkler head 21. The pressure in the lower chamber 94 of the quick opening diaphragm housing 88 will likewise drop rapidly since it is connected to the system by means of the large orifice ports H2 and the conduit III]. The pressure in the upper chamber 93 of the quick opening diaphragm housing 88 will not drop as rapidly, however, due the fact that the air in the upper chamber 93 must escape through the restricted orifice IIII. Thus the air pressure in the upper chamber 93 acting upon the diaphragm 9| through the perforations I08 will depress the diaphragm 9I carrying before itthe plate H5 and the rod II4. In the exemplification illustrated in Fig. 5 the rod 4 will press down upon the arm 88 of the clapper 84 thereby raising the valve closure element 81 and a1- lowing the priming water to flow into the intermediate chamber 36. Water will enter the intermediate chamber 36 faster than it can exit therefrom through the alarm conduit 20, and will build up a pressure in the intermediate chamber 36, destroying the differential in pressure existing between that in the intermediate chamber 36 and that in the main chamber 35. The pressure of water in the main intake 4I acting against the valve closure element 65 will then be suflicient to force the clapper arm 63 upward, allowing water to enter the system and flow through to the sprinkler heads.

In the exemplification illustrated in Fig. 9 the rod II4 when forced down by the action of air pressure against the diaphragm 94 will force down the aim I35 of the trigger device I3I, disengaging the neck I34 in contact with the arm extension I29 of the clapper I26. The action of the coil spring I30 against the arm extension I29 Will raise the closure element I25 from its position on the valve seat 83 thereby allowing water.

to fiow into the intermediate chamber 86, thus destroying the differential in pressure existing between that in the main chamber 35 and in the intermediate chamber 36 of the valve housing I5, and permitting the opening of the main check valve.

When the intermediate chamber 36 is filled with water, due to the opening of either the quick opening closure element 81 or the air seat closure element 69, water will flow therefrom through the alarm conduit 20 to the alarm devices 2I and 23, thereby causing an alarm to be sounded.

When the main .check valve opens, as illus trated in Fig. 2, it will be observed that the main check valve anm 6| will swing out of the way of the intake port 4I so that no frictional resistance is offered to the passage of water from port 4| to the chamber 3| in the valve housing I5.

As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the new and improved quick opening device may also be applied to valves in which the air seat is concentric with the water seat. Fig. 7 illustrates such a valve having a main intake. port I46 which is provided with a valve seat I4I preferably made of bronze or some other easily machined metal. An annular depression I42 surrounds the valve seat I4I thereby forming an intermediate chamber, which is connected with the alarm conduit 20 by means ,of a passage I43. about the outer periphery of the annular depression I42, the area enclosed by the valve seat I44 being six to seven times the area enclosed by the valve seat H. A main check valve I45 is provided, the clapper arm I46 of which is hung upon hinge pins I41 secured to the wall of the valve housing I5. A closure element I41 is attached to the clapper arm I46 by suitable means such as a hinge pin I48 passing through lugs I49 on the upper surface of the closure element I41, and through the clapper anm I46. The closure element I41 is provided with a bronze ring I59 designed to seat securely against the valve seat I and with a rubber ring I5I which is designed to seat securely against the valve seat I44, the rubber ring I5I being secured to the closure element I41 by means of a plurality of bolts I52.

A quick opening arm. I55 is provided which,

7 has attached thereto a closure. element I56 de.

A valve seat I44 is provided signed to .fit securely against a valve seat 1 51 in a port I58 which is connected with the intermediate chamber vI42 by passage I48, as shownin Fig. 7. The quick opening valve may be of either the designs referred to above and is operated by the rod H4 in the same manner as described above.

When the quick opening valve l55 is opened by the action of the 'rod I the priming water will flow through the port 158 into the passage I48 and thence into the intermediate chamber 142 thereby destroyin the pressure differential existing between the main chamber 35 and the intermediate chamber 142. Pressure in the main intake port I 40 will then force open the main check valve 145 allowing a free flow of water therethrough into the system and through the system to the sprinkler heads 21. Water will also flow from the intermediate chamber I42 through the passage [48 and the alarm conduit 20 and to the alarm devices 2! into 23, operating the said devices to sound an alarm.

This improved quick opening device is simple and sturdy in construction with a minimum 'of parts requiring attention and is easy to keep in repair. The quick opening valve seat is readily accessible for cleaning and the closure element thereof may be easily replaced in case of damage thereto.

The diiierential check valve illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 has an air seat which is likewise readily accessible for cleaning and may be easily removed for repair. It is small in size and low in cost and may make use of standard closure elements now on the market such as the Fairbanks or Crane discs. It closes an opening to an intermediate chamber of minimum size, thus providing for faster action of the quick opening device.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What-is claimed is: v

1. In a dry pipe water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit including in combination, a valve unit ineluding a housing containing a main chamber having a, main inlet port in the lower section thereof in communication with said main intake conduit and an outlet port in the upper section thereof in communication with said primary outlet conduit, an intermediate air chamber in the lower section of said main chamber open to the atmosphere, said intermediate chamber having a valve port surrounding said main valve port, a valve closure assembly including a hingedly mounted clapper arm having a main closure designed to normally close said main valve port and an intermediate closure designed to normally close said intermediate valve port, a third valve port and means responsive to a pressure drop in the upper section of .said mainchamber for controlling the opening movement of said quick opening closure to thereby admit priming water from the lower half section of said main chamber into said intermediate chamber and substantially concurrently cause said intermediate closure to move into open position.

2. In a dry pipe water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit including in combination, a valve unit including a housingcontaim'ng a mainchamber having a main inlet port in the lower section thereof in communication with said main intake conduit and an outlet port in the upper section thereof in communication with said primary outlet conduit, an intermediate air chamber in the lower section of said main chamber open to the atmosphere, said intermediate chamber having a valve .port in the lower section of said main chamber whose center is linearly spaced from the center of saidmain valve port, a valve closure assembly including a cl'apper arm hinged at one side of said main valve port and having a main closure closing said main valve port and an intermediate closure secured to said clapper arm in spaced relation to said main closure for closing said intermediate valve port, a third valve port in the lower section of said main chamber in communication with said intermediate chamber, a quick opening closure for said third valve port, a port leading into said housing for admitting priming water into the lower half section of said main chamber, means for establishing a water blanket in the lower section of said main chamber of predetermined depth overlying said main closure, intermediate closureand'quick opening closure when said closures are in valve closing position, means for injecting air under pressure into said main chamber above the water blanket, and means responsive to a pressure drop in the upper section of said main chamber for controlling the opening movement of said quick opening closure to thereby admit priming water from the lower half section of said main chamber into said intermediate chamber and substantially concurrently cause said intermediate closure to move into open position.

3. An improved valve unit for dry pipe fire protection sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having a main chamber, a main water inlet port leading into the lower section of said main chamber and a sprinkler system outlet port leading from the upper section of said main chamber, an intermediate air chamber designed to contain air at atmospheric pressure having an intermediate port communicating with the lower section of said main chamber, a quick opening port in communication with the lower section of said main chamber and said intermediate chamber, valve closures for said main inlet port, intermediate port and quick opening port contained Within the lower section of said main chamber, means for admitting priming water into the lower half section of said main chamber to provide a water blanket of predetermined depth overlying said quick opening port and said intermediate port, means for admittingair under pressure into the upper section of said main chamber above the water blanket, and means responsive to a pressure drop in the upper section 'oi said main chamher for controlling the opening movement of said quick opening closureand thereby admit priming water from the lower half section of said main chamber into said intermediate chamber and substantially concurrently cause said intermediate closure to move into open position.

4. An improved controlvalve unit for dry pipe fire protection sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having a main chamber designed to contain priming water in the lower section thereof. and air under pressure in the upper section thereof, a main inlet port leading into the lower section of said main'chamber, an intermediate air chamber open to the atmosphere and having a port in communication with the lower section of said main chamber, a third port in the lower section of said main chamber providing communication between the lower section of said main chamber andsaid intermediate chamber, a main closure for said main inlet port, an intermediate closure for said intermediate port, a quick opening closure for said third port, a hinged clapper arm connected to said main closure and said intermediate closure whereby said main and intermediate closures may be simultaneously moved into open position, and means responsive to a pressure drop in the upper section of said main chamber for controlling the opening movement of said quick opening closure to thereby admit priming water from the lower section of said main chamber into said intermediate chamber and substantially concurrently cause saidintermediate closure to move into open position.

5. An improved valve unit for dry pipe fire protection sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having a main chamber designed to contain priming water in the lower section thereof and air under pressure in the upper section thereof, a main inlet port leading into the lower section of said main chamber and a main outlet port leading from the upper section of said main chamber, an intermediateair chamber open to the atmosphere and having a port in communication with the lower section of said main chamber, a quick opening port within said housing providing communication between the lower section of said main chamber and said intermediate chamber, a main closurefor said main inlet port, an intermediate closure for said intermediate port, a quick opening closure for said quick opening port, a hinged clapper arm detachably connected to said main closure and said intermediate closure whereby said main and intermediate closures may be'simultaneously moved into open position, a hinged clapper arm detachably connected to said quick opening closure, and a quick opening device for controlling the opening movement of said quick opening closure, said device including a rod extending into said main chamber for manipulating the hinged clapper arm and its associated quick opening closure into port opening position, and means communicating with the upper compressed air containing section of said main chamber and resopnsive to air pressure drop in the upper section of said main chamber for manipulating said rod.

6. An improved valve unit for dry pipe fire protection sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having a main chamber normally designed to contain priming Water in the lower section thereof and. air under pressure in the upper section thereof, a main inlet port leading into the lower section of said main chamber and a main outlet port leading from the upper section of said main chamber, an intermediate air chamber open to the atmosphere and havinga port in. communication with the lower section of. said main chamber, a quick opening port ,within said housing providing communication between the lower section of said main chamber and said intermediate chamber a main closure for said main inlet port, an intermediate closure for said intermediate port, a quick opening closure for said quick opening port, a hinged clapper arm connected to said main closure and said intermediate closure whereby said main and intermediate closures may be simultaneously moved into open position, and a quick opening device for controlling the openin movement of said quick opening closure, said device including a resilient element normally urging said quick opening'closure into open position, a trigger element normally retaining said quick opening closure in closed position against the opening action of said resilient element, and means responsive to air pressure drop in the upper section of said main chamber for tripping said trigger element. 7

'7. A control valve unit for dry pipe sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having a main chamber designed to contain priming water in the lower section thereof and air under pressure in the upper section thereof, a main Water inlet port leading into the lower section of said main chamber and a-primary outlet port leading from the upper section of said main chamber, an intermediate chamber designed to contain air under atmospheric pressure having a port in communication with the lower section of said main chamber, said intermediate port having its center lineally, spaced from the center of said main inlet port, a closure for each of said ports, a clapper arm hinged adjacent to said main inlet port and detachably connected to said lineally spaced main valve closure and intermediate valve closure, and means responsive to a pressure drop in the upper section of said main chamber for controlling the opening movement of said intermediate closure.

8. A control valve unit for dry pipe sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having a main chamber designed to contain priming water in the lower section thereof and air under pressure in the upper section thereof, a main water inlet port leading into the lower section of said main chamber and a primary outlet port leading from the upper section of said main chamber, an intermediate chamber designed to contain air under atmospheric pressure having a port in communication with the lower section of said main chamber, said intermediate port having its center lineally spaced from the center of said main inlet port, a quick opening port in communication with the lower section of said main chamber and said intermediate chamber, a closure for each of said ports, a clapper arm hinged adjacent to said main inlet port and connected to said lineally spaced main closure and intermediate closure, and means responsive to a pressure drop in the upper section of said main chamber for controlling the opening movement of said quick opening closure and the admission of priming water into said intermediate chamber.

9. A control valve unit for dry pipe sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having a main chamber designed to contain priming water in the lower section thereof and air under pressure in the upper section thereof, a main water inlet port leading into the lower section of said main chamber and a primary outlet port leading from the upper section of said main chamber, an intermediate chamber designed to 'containair under atmospheric pressure "having a port in communication with the lower section of said main chamber, said intermediate port having its center lineally spaced from the center of said main inlet port, a quick opening port communicating with the lower section of said main chamber and said intermediate chamber, a closure for each of said ports, a clapper arm hinged adjacent to said main inlet port and detachably connected to said line'ally spaced main closure and intermediate closure, resilient means for normally urging said quick opening closure into open position, tripping means for normallyretaining said quick opening closure-in closed position, andmeans responsive to a pressure drop in sa'id'main chamber operative to manipulate said tripping means to permit'said quick opening closure to move into open position and admit priming water from the lower section of said main chamber into said intermediate chamber.

'10. A control valve unit for dry pipe sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having a main chamber designed to contain priming water in the lower section thereof and air under pressure in the upper section thereof, an intermediate chamber designed to contain'air at atmospheric pressure, a port within the lower section of said main chamber leading to said intermediate chamber, a closure for said intermediate port, a diaphragm housing having a flexible diaphragm therein defining an air chamber on either side thereof, a restricted orifice connecting one of said air chambers to the other of said air chambers, said other air chamber being in air communication with the upper compressed air containing section of said main chamber, and means operatively connected to said diaphragm for controlling the opening movement of said intermediate closure and the admission of priming water into said intermediate chamber in accordance with the air pressure drop in said main chamber.

l1. A control valve unit for dry pipe sprinkler systems including in combination, a main 'valve housing having a main chamber designed to contain priming water in the lower section thereof and air underpressure in the upper section thereof, an intermediate chamber designed to contain air at atmospheric pressure, a port within the lower section of said main chamber leading to said intermediate chamber, a closure for said intermediate port, a diaphragm housing having a flexible diaphragm therein defining an air chamber-on either side thereof, *a restricted orifice connecting one of said air chambers to the other of said air chambers, said other air chamber being in air communication with the upper compressed air containing section of said main chamber, a plunger, a plate connected to one end of said plunger, and a coil spring compressed between the floor of said other air chamber and said plate retaining the said plate in bearing position against said diaphragm, the other end of said plunger being operative to control the opening movement of said closure and the admission of priming water from the lower section of said main chamber into said intermediate chamber in accordance with the air pressure drop'in said main chamber.

12 A control valve unit for dry pipe sprinkler systems including in combination, a main valve housing having amain chamber designed to contain priming water in the lower section thereof and air under pressurein the upper section thereof, an intermediate chamber designed to contain air at atmospheric pressure, a port within the lower section of said main chamber leading to-said intermediate chamber, a closure for said intermediate port, a diaphragm housing having a flexible diaphragm therein defining an air chamber on either side thereof, a restricted orifice connecting one of said air chambers to the other of said air chambers, said other air chamher being in air communication with the upper compressed air containing section of said main chamber, a plunger, a plate connected to one end of said plunger, and a coil spring compressed between the floor of said other air chamber and said plate whereby said plate is normally maintained in contact with said diaphragm, the other end of said plunger being operatively connected to said closure, said plungerbeing operated by a differential in 'air pressure between the air chambers in the diaphragm housing whereby a higher air pressure in said first air chamber will cause the said plunger to move said closure into port opening position and admit priming water into said intermediate chamber.

RUSSELL W. GIESELER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,482,259 Rowlen Jan. 29, 1924 1,636,951 Campbell July 26, 1927 1,646,618 Lewis Oct. 25, 1927 1,754,511 Griffiths Apr. 15, 1930 1,765,422 Griffith June 24, 1930 1,790,467 Grifiilth Jan. 27, 1931 1,933,214 Halford Oct. 31, 1933 2,124,995 Hodgman July 26, 1938 

